2010 Map of Big Lake

About this map

Big Lake dominates this Missouri riverfront landscape, surrounded by an intricate network of wetlands and drainage channels in Holt County. The area’s hydrological history is visible in the complex waterways of Tarkio Creek, the Old Channel Tarkio River, and Old Channel Little Tarkio Creek, which reveal how the river valley has been managed over generations. Small agricultural settlements like Fortescue, Bigelow, and Napier serve as anchors for the rural community, while numerous family-named burial grounds, including Catron Cemetery and Tarkio Chapel Cemetery, offer significant touchpoints for genealogical research. To the east, specialized wetland habitats like Mallard Marsh, Pintail Pool, and Pelican Pool highlight the region's importance as a migratory corridor. The winding Missouri River itself defines the southwestern boundary, carving distinctive features like Nemaha Bends and Squaw Bend into the floodplains.